Muslims Gather For Mecca Pilgrimage
Saudi Arabia is a busy spot right now as Muslims from around the world gather to partake in a religious pilgrimage. The pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the five pillars of Islam, and is an obligation for all Muslims at least once during their lives if they can afford to do so.
It is reported that 1.5 million Muslims have already arrived and those numbers are expected to rise to 2 million. Participants begin their 'haj' on Thursday assembling in the valley of Mina and dawn Friday move towards Mount Arafat where they spend the day praying and ask for God's forgiveness. On Saturday they celebrate Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice), usually a sheep back at the Mina valley and stay there for two days before attending another rite where standing stone pillars are stoned in a ceremony that symbolizes their willingness to renounce evil.
Religious customs are fine, but the sacrifice of the sheep seems a bit barbaric. Christians have no problem slitting the throat of a sheep so they can eat, but the days of 'living sacrifices' passed long ago for most folks I hang out with.
Regardless, as long as these folks just slit the throats of animals it's fine by me. But - I've seen video of what happens to Christians (Infidels) at the hands of some Muslims and I have a little trouble with this whole concept.
And that rock-throwing thing: We've all read accounts of women being stoned to death in that region of the world. Sort of takes away from the religious symbolism when human blood is spilled on the ground, eh. - Obviously I won't be converting to the Muslim religion any time soon.
So at this very festive time of year Blog MyyyyyAsssss would like to wish those true believers 'a very happy haj' and those Bin Laden-type believers - well, you guys can all drop dead.
